
S
tor
INSIDE
95
Terrorist Meets the Savior
by VASANTHAKUMAR VETHAMUTHU
I was a political activist in my village in India. I worked for justice and fair
treatment for the poor of the community. But some politicians didn’t like me
and wanted me out of their way. So, when a clash between two groups in the
community resulted in the death of several people, I was accused of inciting
the riot. I had nothing to do with it, but some politicians called me a terrorist
and had me put into jail. The judge, however, saw the injustice and gave me
probation. However, the accusation made me an outcast in my own village
and among the people I had sought to help.
My own church disfellowshiped me, so I decided to build my own church
on land at the edge of the village where my family and I could worship. As I
was building the church, I met an Adventist pastor. When he learned why I
was building a church, he said, “That’s a good idea. But since you are build-
ing a new church, why not make it a true Bible-believing church, an
Adventist church?”
I was intrigued and listened to this man explain the Sabbath, the state of
the dead, and other basic Bible doctrines I didn’t know. I agreed to make my
church a Sabbath keeping church. I helped the pastor hold evangelistic meet-
ings in the area, though some of my political enemies accused me of politi-
cal activism again, and we had to stop the meetings.
After explaining our position to the police, they finally allowed the meet-
ings to continue. The pastor focused his talks on God’s love, salvation, and
general topics, but in our private studies, he challenged me to study the Bible
to understand the Sabbath and other important doctrines. I did, and I realized
they all were true. I began telling people about the Sabbath. I knew that the
Christians in the village would not accept it, so I told my idol worshiping
friends and invited them to come to meetings in the half-finished church.
Following the pastor’s meetings, 35 people were baptized, including my
wife, my father, and me. The new church members and even some non-
Adventist believers worked to finish the new church. Some two hundred peo-
ple came to the dedication, including some political officials. It was a grand
day for the entire village.
I have given up my political activity and now work for Christ. I am driven
by the love of God rather than social justice. Now I work as a lay evangelist
in my area, helping the pastor and going from village to village to teach peo-
ple about Christ. We now have congregations in eight nearby villages. Your
Thirteenth Sabbath offerings provided two of these congregations with sim-
ple chapels. Thank y
ou for your gifts to God that support God’s work in
India.
VASANTHAKUMAR VETHAMUTHU is a lay e
vang
elist in India.
Produced by the General Conf
erence Office of Ad
ventist Mission.
Web site: www.adventistmission.org